Heinblog: Rome

We escaped Azerbaijan and a hefty fine by flying to Rome! This is the Castel Sant'Angelo. Originally built as Emperor Hadrian's Mausoleum, the tomb was converted into a castle by the popes in the 14th century. It is called Castle of the Holy Angel because it is believed an angel appeared above the castle in the 6th century to stop the plague.

Emperor Hadrian ruled from 117-138 A.D.

Nuns were all over Rome for Pope Francis' first mass.

The popes built a bridge wall linking the castle to St. Peter's Basilica so they could quickly flee to the castle if Rome was invaded.

Skyline and the Tiber

Some interesting old arquebuses.

Augustus Caesar's Mausoleum

Piazza del Popolo, the location of the north gate of the Aurelian Walls of ancient Rome. Yes, there is a stolen Egyptian obelisk in the middle of the plaza.

Aurelian Walls

The Colosseum

It boggles the mind to think how they were able to stage naval battles in this place.

The Arch of Constantine commemorates his victory over Maxentius (a rival to the throne) in 312 A.D. at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. Before the battle began he painted a cross on his shield and became the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity.

The Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum make up the most extensive set of ancient ruins in Rome.

The Arch of Titus commemorates Emperor Titus' many victories, notably the capture of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

The looting of the Second Temple is depicted on the inside of the arch.

The Basilica of Maxentius

The Roman Forum. In the back is the Arch of Septimius Severus, which commemorates his victories over the Parthians in the late 2nd century.

Many churches in this area are converted pagan temples.

The new is built using the old.

Every backstreet seems to have a historic temple or plaza filled with marble sculptures.

The Altar of the Fatherland towers over most other buildings in Rome. It is a museum and monument dedicated to Victor Emanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy.

The Capitoline Museums, designed by Michelangelo, are located next to the Altar of the Fatherland and the Roman Forum. They have some interesting pieces, but most of Rome's best artifacts and artworks were snapped up by the popes and placed in the Vatican Museums. That's Emperor Marcus Aurelius on his horse in the back.

The Giant Head of Constantine

A trip to Rome helps one understand why people thought many Medieval and Renaissance popes were hypocrites. Few things show humility and Christian virtue more than building giant statues of yourself.

The museums have a great view of the forum.

Rome is filled with copies of the Romulus, Remus, and she-wolf statue.

Trevi Fountain

The Spanish Steps

The Capuchin Crypt was the most disturbing thing I saw in Rome. It consists of a half dozen rooms artistically decorated with the remains of 4,000 of the Capuchin friars.